Zander’s dad practically cornered him when he walked through the front entrance of Mariposa.
“Son, I’d like to have a chat,” his father said, rounding the corner as if lying in wait.
Zander came to a sudden stop, putting his hands out in front of him. “Jeez, Dad, stalk much?”
He glanced toward the stairs.
Effie had gone ahead to shower and presumably recover from nearly being spied on by Chloe. Either that or to get her wits together over their mind-blowing sex. Hopefully, it was the latter. She’d barely spoken to him on the ride back. Instead, she’d slipped into the closed-down version he first met. She smiled when smiled at, answered his questions, but basically withdrew into her shell where he couldn’t access her.
“Come with me,” his dad said. He sauntered through the house toward the patio. His bright Hawaiian shirt screamed with color, a vivid contrast to his graying hair.
Zander bristled. “What, am I about to get a lecture? I’m a little old for that, don’t you think?”
“No, you’re not going to get a lecture. Christ. You’re no longer sixteen.” His dad flashed an annoyed look over his shoulder.
“Sorry. I’m preoccupied with something.” He glanced back at the stairs again, hoping Effie would saunter down the stairs and they could get back to the fantastic connection they’d shared before their return to Mariposa. Had something happened? Did my sister say something to her? Did I do something wrong?
His dad followed his gaze. “Your girlfriend will be fine. She seemed congenial enough, so I wouldn’t worry about it.” He settled in his padded lounge chair on the downstairs deck. “Your mother and I have been talking.”
“About?” Zander perched on one of the teak deck chairs.
“About you and your girl. You’re leaving tonight, right?” His dad leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs at the ankles.
“After dinner, yeah. I’ve got a meeting tomorrow morning.” He cocked his head and studied his father. What’s he up to?
“I’ve got a friend over in Key West. He runs one of those fancy restaurants. I gave him a call. He can set you up with a private room for dinner tonight. Why not let your last night here be romantic and memorable?”
“You don’t think I can make memories here on Mariposa?” Zander said.
“Not with me and your ma looking over your shoulder. And your bossy, nosy sister. We just thought it would be nice.” His dad smiled. “I know how busy you get at work. You can’t even think straight.”
Zander sat back in his chair. “That’s really nice, Dad. Thank you.”
His heart warmed.
“Your mom and I know you’ve had a rough year or two. We just thought it would be nice to send you off right. Don’t worry about paying for dinner. We’ve got it covered. Like I said, Tony’s a good friend of mine. He’s more than happy to do something nice for me which means doing something nice for you.”
He gazed fondly as his dad for a few seconds. “That’s really kind of you. I thought Mom would want me to stay until the last possible second.”
“Oh, don’t think she didn’t pitch a fit.” He chuckled and scratched at his forearm, over his race car tattoo. “But, your happiness is more important. We’re glad you came out for the weekend. Really glad.” His dad’s eyes misted over. “We’ve missed you, Zan. It’s good to see you so happy.”
Zander’s throat tightened down, caught with emotion. “Thanks. It’s good to feel happy for a change. You’re right, I had a dark year. But Effie’s helped me out of it in more ways than one. I owe whatever happiness you see to her.”
“I can tell she’s a good woman. She’s got a lot of feelings cooking inside. And, she’s smart as a whip. She’s a great catch. Your mother and I both agree.”
Zander smiled. But his insides warred. That fucking contract—I made it clear—no contact whatsoever. Who, exactly, was I trying to protect? Am I really too fucked up to have a healthy relationship? Maybe. I’m the asshole who told her no sex and definitely no love. What if she has other plans? Each of them seemed to dance around the end of their goddamned “arrangement.” Maybe tonight I can set things straight. Tell her I want to take things further. I need to make sure Trisha is out of the picture—tell Bryant she’s to not get near me. Maybe I should tell Effie about the contract with Trisha. He tapped his fingers against the arm of his chair. The high-tech digits made a hollow click against the wood. No. If I told her about the contract I’d have to side-step a lot of questions. Maybe I could leave out the part about my stupidity. Shame made a sudden surge, heating up his neck and cheeks. He hated to remind himself of that horrible moment.
“So, what time did you arrange dinner?”
His dad glanced at his watch. “Oh, about an hour, give or take. We live on island time here, don’t forget.”
Zander swallowed. “That doesn’t give me much time to say good-bye.”
“Good-byes should be short, sweet, and to the point,” his father said in a choked voice. He rose to stand and held out his arms to Zander.
Zander fell into his embrace. “Good-bye, old man. I promise to not make it so long between visits.”
“Good. That’s good,” Zander’s dad managed to say through his emotion, patting his back. “We’d like that. Your mom and me. We’d like that a lot.”
At the sound of footsteps tromping down the stairs, Zander released his dad. His eyes were moist as he gazed at him.
Both men swiped the tears from their eyes.
“Look at us,” his dad said. “We’re like a couple of old women. You be good. Be safe. And by God, protect your heart.” He tapped Zander’s chest with his forefinger.
“I will, Dad. I will.” Zander gripped his dad’s upper arms, noting the solid muscle beneath his grasp. He turned around to face Effie.
“Hey.” She’d dressed in a long, slinky garment that hugged her sexy curves. Her hair had been brushed to a perfect, glossy sheen. Her gaze slid between Zander and his dad. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s perfect,” his dad said. “I was just telling Zander about a friend of mine over in Key West who wants to send you home tonight with a gourmet meal and private dining overlooking the sea. He runs a restaurant over there.”
Effie smiled her glorious smile—not the one she begrudgingly set free when she retreated. “When we can get the best gourmet meal here? I was looking forward to eating the fish Zander caught.”
“There will be more fish dinners in Mariposa,” his dad said. “But, privacy is something that’s lacking here.” He flashed a warm smile at Effie.
She blushed and cast her gaze at her pretty, painted toes.
Zander strode over to her and put his arm around her. “How does that sound?”
She looked up at him with moist eyes. “It sounds…” Her gaze tracked to Zander’s dad. “You’ve all been so lovely and kind to me. I’m going to miss you.”
Zander’s dad became teary-eyed again. “Come here and give Zan’s old man a hug.”
She did so, without hesitation.
He embraced Effie and said, “You’ve given the world to this family. You’ve given my son his happiness back.”
“Why the waterworks?” Chloe said as she sauntered into the room.
“Just saying goodbye to these two,” his dad said.
“Mom, get in here. They’re turning up their noses at my Mahi-Mahi,” Chloe called over her shoulder. “They’re saying goodbye.”
The word “good-bye” blew a hole through Zander’s insides. That mess of a contract with its termination date loomed in his brain. But his hot desire for Effie wanted so much more.
If only his fucking secrets didn’t stand in the way.